I talked Kyle Walker out of international retirement twice – Gareth Southgate

England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed he had to convince Kyle Walker twice to rethink his international retirement.

The 33-year-old scored his first England goal in Saturday's 1-1 Euro 2024 qualifying draw against Ukraine in Wroclaw.

It crowns a great performance from the Manchester City right-back, whose future in club and country was uncertain this summer.

Only an intervention from City boss Pep Guardiola allowed Walker to stay at the Etihad Stadium after overtures from Bayern Munich almost saw him leave for Germany.

Now Southgate has told how he also had to change Walker's mind after the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy and last year's World Cup in Qatar.

“I talked him out of retiring twice – from international football,” Southgate said after the draw in Poland.

"After the Euro and after the World Cup, I think he loves being here and he wants to continue and now he is thinking about how many caps he can get.

“He is essential for us. If we're talking about world-class players at their place in our team, then he's probably one of them.

“I think he didn’t realize how much we mean to him and how important he is to us. He's probably not going to thank me for sharing this!

Walker has enjoyed good form of late and, when asked about his conversations with Southgate, he admitted that the fierce competition at his position had led him to question his international future - but he is now fully committed to add to his 77 caps.

"Yes, I'm playing well," said City's three-time winner.

“Obviously, in a moment, the moment Gareth and I spoke, people like Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Tripps (Kieran Trippier), Reece James came in… you think your days are numbered.

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“And sacrifice how many vacations and summers I have sacrificed. I've been doing this since I was 19 (when) I joined the senior team. I'm 33 now.

“Gareth and I have a good relationship off the pitch. We talk to each other and I feel like I can still bring something to the team. So why stop?

Southgate has given Walker all but 20 of his senior England caps and believes the former Sheffield United and Tottenham player has continued to improve in recent years.

“I think so,” he said when asked if players get better with age.

“It doesn't always happen but I think he's not only playing but also in practice, the way I hear him talk when he's interviewed, his influence on the group , he has become a really mature leader for us. .

"He has enormous experience in winning big matches and the whole week – two or three days into training his goal was very clear, the way he organized himself on the pitch and I I think he appreciates the extra responsibility he has had at his club. and I know he is ready to accept that with us as well.

“But also the way he trained all week, his influence on the young players in the group. His all-round game, his great composure in a position where you don't always find it and our senior players were important and he was the choice against Ukraine. "